Commentary

Commentary

As missile threats grow, don’t give up on boost-phase defense

With North Korea and Iran introducing more capable and maneuverable missile systems, the United States should reexamine boost-phase intercept options for improving U.S. homeland missile defense.

Why isn’t Russia doing more to jam GPS in Ukraine?

The importance of GPS as a military tool was underscored by Kremlin media in November 2021 as troops were massing along the Ukraine border. After Russia demonstrated it could destroy a satellite in space, a television commentator known to be an unofficial mouthpiece of President Putin said the nation could “blind NATO” by shooting down all GPS satellites.

Commentary

Finland and Sweden in NATO are strategic assets, not liabilities

The two Nordic countries will bring two relatively small but advanced militaries into NATO, adding significant military capabilities and augmenting the alliance’s ability to deter additional Russian aggression.

Commentary

Senate must back creation of ‘Space National Guard’ to end a needless division

A brain drain in the space arena will have detrimental effects on our national security and our states’ readiness, and creating a Space National Guard is the best, most cost-efficient way to prevent that from happening.

Commentary

Gutting cannon artillery in the Marine Corps’ new fighting plan is a huge mistake

Cannon artillery is "the only all-weather, immediately on call and sustainable fire support available to maneuver forces in 'every clime and place.'"

Commentary

The NATO summit is chance to wean Europe off US military might

In Madrid, Biden ought to drive a hard bargain with America’s European allies.

Commentary

How to set defense spending when inflation is volatile

During periods with volatile inflation, policymakers have different outlooks on the accuracy of the inflation forecast.

Commentary

Marine Corps artillery ― it isn’t too late to salvage it

Armor, engineering and other required assets may be forever lost, but it is not too late for an artillery course correction, this retired Marine lieutenant general writes.

Commentary

Worried about inflation and the defense budget? A continuing resolution could make things worse

While rising inflation rates threaten DoD’s purchasing power, congressional politics around a continuing resolution to start FY23 could exacerbate inflation’s impact on the defense budget.

Commentary

Face it, NATO: The North Atlantic and Indo-Pacific are linked

The new Strategic Concept should be able to address challenges posed by China robustly and implement some structural changes without undermining European concerns.

Commentary

What it looks like when competing with China comes last

It is past time for the Biden administration to answer fundamental questions about how it intends to support Taiwan and secure a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

Commentary

The Defense Production Act is helping rebuild the US industrial base. Let’s keep it that way.

A legitimate debate may arise over the use of the DPA beyond traditional defense needs. As that debate unfolds, Congress may find that the act's authorities need to be expanded at the Pentagon.

Commentary

Expedite arms deliveries to beleaguered democracies

The United States should spend less time worrying about provoking authoritarian bullies and more time urgently helping threatened democracies before an invasion or attack begins.

Commentary

If the Marine Corps’ force design plan is going to succeed, it needs more money and more Navy support

The success of the Marine Corps' Force Design — scheduled for completion by 2030 — depends on addressing three key areas.

Commentary

The war in Ukraine should serve to bolster Europe’s air power ambitions

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is a stark reminder that Europe’s NATO members need to spend more wisely — and not simply spend more — in bolstering their collective defense against unwarranted aggression.

Commentary

US Navy secretary previews priorities for Pacific tour

At the top of his mind is a threat impacting the service's mission, people, platforms and installations.

Commentary

The Russian invasion has clear implications for the US Army

The U.S. Army must incorporate this new threat without disregarding any of the old. And it cannot do so by simply adding another defensive mechanism. That’s how combat vehicles grow to ponderous weights over time.

Commentary

Stop calling Switchblades ‘drones’ — it’s causing policy confusion

When incorrect terminology is used and accepted, national security leaders risk making bad policy based on misperceptions.

Commentary

The DoD’s cyber force must partner with industry to compete at the speed of relevance

While cyber is essential to many areas of DoD operations, it is not its main function.

Commentary

The US defense budget’s latest casualty is readiness

To advance future capabilities that provide for long-term readiness, the armed services need well-trained, knowledgeable warfighters who have the capacity to integrate modernized systems into sustained arsenals. Instead, the budget’s reductions come at a point when the operational tempo of the force continues to increase as capacity investments are falling.

Commentary

Winning in Ukraine: a French perspective

Besides their military support for Kyiv, France and Germany are also mindful of leaving the door open to a negotiated settlement of the conflict.

Commentary

Why a ‘Buy Allied’ approach matters

There are at least four essential reasons why making the U.S. aerospace and defense industry exclusively “Made in America” is neither feasible nor desirable.

Commentary

Beware the allure of training technology

Sometimes the best and most cost-effective training tool may just be a book.

Commentary

Is America’s military headed down the same path as Russia’s?

Diplomacy that is not backed by military might will fail. It all comes down to credibility behind the words. The U.S. has lost its edge in that regard from both a military capability and capacity perspective.

Commentary

A prolonged ceasefire may be the likely endgame in Ukraine

Shifting war aims and the prospect of protracted war could lead to a potential dilemma for Ukraine.